Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur consequent to long-term treatment with metformin but very few studies in India have assessed this risk. Metformin is considered the drug of first choice not only for the management of type 2 diabetes but also for prediabetes and polycystic ovary disease. The aims and objective of study was carried out to assess the serum levels of vitamin B12 in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with metformin for a minimum duration of five years.Methods: Serum vitamin B12 level was estimated in 39 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who were on metformin for more than five years. vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum concentration less than 200 pg/dl. apart from vitamin B12, fasting blood sugar, post prandial sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin were also estimated.Results: 39 subjects in age group of 40-65 years, suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, for more than five years were recruited for the study. The mean serum level of vitamin B12 was 153.27±46.01. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 35.89%subjects.Conclusions: Patients suffering from long standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and taking large doses of metformin should be screened for Vitamin B 12 deficiency.